Festival dates in Chaitra month – March and April 2026 are as follows: Chaitra (March - April) Ugadi/Gudi Padwa - Sri Parabhava Nama Samvatsaram - 19 March 2026 Gangaur - 4 March … [Read More...]
March 2026 Hints
If the carpet is slipping, spread cling foil below the carpet, the carpet will not slip. If the edge of the carpet is folded and there is a chance of people slipping, keep few ice cubes below the … [Read More...]
Festival dates in Phalgun month – February and March 2026
Festival dates in Phalgun month – February and March 2026 Phālgun (February – March) Sri Raghavendra Swami Jayanthi – 24 February 2026 Holi – 2 to 4 March 2026 … [Read More...]
Happy Shivaratri 2026
As Lord Shiva is Trinetra (3 eyes), Bilva leaves are offered on this auspicious day of Maha Shivaratri. Some devotees feast and few fast on this day. Devotees also do Jagran (wake the … [Read More...]
Flower Arrangement – Tall and strong
Heliconia is best for flower arrangements, as they last for a very long time. When teamed with Philodendron leaves, it makes a striking arrangement. Materials required: 1 Golden torch … [Read More...]
Ulundogare recipe – Urad Dal Rice recipe – Ullandogare – Ulundhorai
Ulundogare is prepared for naivedya (blessed food) in temples. It is a healthy meal with the right amount of carbohydrates and complex carbohydrates. The flavor is derived from roasted … [Read More...]
Ikigai Café
Ikigai is a Japanese concept pronounced as ee-key-guy. It means a sense of purpose to wake up in the morning. This resonates perfectly with Navya, who has conceptualized this unique café “Ikigai” at … [Read More...]
February 2026 Hints
Use an onion to clean the grate on your grill. If your microwave is really dirty, put a damp cloth in there for about 30-45 seconds, let it sit (to cool down) then use it to wipe it down. The steam … [Read More...]
Konkaneshwara Temple, Akkihebbalu
The presiding deity at Konkaneshwara temple in Akkihebbalu, Mandya district is Lord Shiva. This temple is situated next to the Lakshmi Narasimha Swamy temple. Both temples are ancient with no … [Read More...]
Akkihebbalu Lakshmi Narasimha Temple
Akkihebbalu Lakshmi Narasimha Temple is as ancient as our Puranas. Sage Gouthama's penance appeased Lord Vishnu and he appeared before him and asked his wish, the sage asked Lord Vishnu to … [Read More...]
Vegetarian Recipes
Menasinakai Balaka
Menasinakai Balaka are sun dried stuffed Green Chilies, which are Shallow fried before serving in South India. Time Required: 15 Minutes + Drying Time Ingredients: 10 Green Chilies 1tsp … [Read More...]
Fruit and Alu Chaat – Fruit and Aloo Chat Recipe – Fruit and Potatoes Salad Recipe
Fruit and Alu Chaat is made with fruits and boiled potatoes tossed in spices. Spice coated potatoes mingled in the juicy sweetness of the fruits is the right treat in the evening after a long … [Read More...]
Golgappa
Small deep fried puffed bread stuffed with Potatoes and spices. This is dipped into a vessel of tangy water and comes out filled with the water. It is put into the mouth and the tangy water, crispy … [Read More...]
Jackfruit Seeds Vada – Jackfruit Seeds Fritters – Halasina Beejada Vade
After the Jackfruit season, if you have collected the seeds, you can make this crispy and tasty vadas / fritters for a rainy evening with hot filter coffee. Ingredients: 1 Cup Jackfruit seeds, … [Read More...]
Pudina Raitha
Pudina or Mint is considered to introduce coolness in any dish that it is tossed into. Now, that the summer is here, Pudina Raitha offers the welcome respite from heat. Cuisine: North … [Read More...]
Alu Methi – Aloo Methi Recipe – Potato Fenugreek Leaves Recipe
A side dish prepared using Potatoes and Fenugreek leaves. Ingredients: 5 Potatoes, peeled diced 1 bunch Methi / Fenugreek leaves, cleaned and chopped finely 2 tbsp Oil 1tsp Saunf / … [Read More...]
Sugar Snap Peas Stir Fry Recipe
I was delighted to find Sugar snap peas in the grocery store and they are so easy to use. The whole pod can be eaten. They are sweet and crisp. You can add them to salads or eat them as is … [Read More...]
Alu Jeera – Aloo Jeera Recipe – Potatoes Cumin Recipe
Potatoes stir fried with plenty of Cumin Seeds. Time Required: 20 Minutes Ingredients: 4 Potatoes, Peeled and diced 1 Big Onion, Chopped finely 2tsp Jeera / Cumin Seeds 2 Green Chilies, … [Read More...]
Travel
Chamundi Hills – Mysore
As you near Mysore city, the first thing that you notice is Chamundi hills standing protectively over the city spread on its foothills. Every Mysorean is fond of this hill and they might have visited … [Read More...]
India loves to pose – 44
India loves to pose series contains random pictures of people in different moods and gears captured during a moment in their story. I believe that behind every face lies a … [Read More...]
Chikmagalur – Chikkamagaluru
Chikmagalur was always mentioned by my dad and his cousins with a lot of affection as they spent all their holidays in their maternal Grandfather’s coffee estate. I have heard many incidents and … [Read More...]
Jaswant Thada, Jodhpur
Jaswant Thada is situated to the left of the Mehrangarh fort complex in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. This beautiful white marble structure was built in 1899 in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh II. Photographs … [Read More...]
Turtle Bay Beach Resort, Maravanthe
This is the first ever review of a resort on itslife.in and I promise to write many more that I have visited. I have visited Turtle Bay Beach Resort twice and both the times I have found this resort … [Read More...]
Daily routine in Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram
Visitors from around the globe visit Sri Ramana Maharshi Ashram and few stay back to know more about the teachings of the guru. A pamphlet printed in Ramana Maharshi Ashrama, Thiruvannamalai … [Read More...]
Hubli
Hubli is my birth place and it was initially known as Hubballi meaning flowering creeper in Kannada. This is one of the major cities of Karnataka. The twin cities of Hubli and Dharwad are the second … [Read More...]
Festivals
Song in the glory of Lord Shiva
This devotional song on Lord Shiva sung during the Aarathi. ಶಿವನ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಆರುತಿ ಎತ್ತಿರೆ । ಮಾರಾನಮರ್ದನಾಗೆ ಆರುತಿ ಎತ್ತಿರೆ । ನಂದೀ ವಾಹವಗೆ। ರಂಭೆಯೇರು ಚಂದದಿಂದ|| ಮುಂಗುರುಳಿನಲ್ಲೆ ಚಂದ್ರನ್ ಧರಸೀದವಗೇ … [Read More...]
Gowri Aarathi Song
Gowri is the consort of Lord Shiva and during Ganesha-Gowri Festival, songs are sung in glory of her during Arathi. Lyrics in Kannada: ಗೌರಿ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಜಯ ಮಂಗಳವೆನ್ನಿರೆ ಗೌರಿಗೆ| ಜಯ ಭವ ಹರ … [Read More...]
Dasara Procession and Torch Light Parade during the reign of the Wodeyars
Picture1 - Illuminated Mysore Palace Mysore Dasara procession during the Maharajah’s rule used to be on a larger scale and grander. My grandparents and parents generation go on and on … [Read More...]
Hoovilya
Hoovilya is an auspicious ritual conducted just before major celebrations like Marriage or Upanayana / Sacred thread ceremony in Karnataka. It is more like an all women’s party, where at least 5 or … [Read More...]
Manmatha or Kama – the god of love
Another interesting statue in Nanjanagudu is that of Manmatha or Kama - the god of love (Kama Samhara (killing) Murthy (idol)). During Holi festival, effigy of Manmatha or Kama is burnt, which is … [Read More...]
Lord Ganesha Arathi Song
Tomorrow is Ganesh Chathurthi. Wish you all a very happy festival. My mother has written the below arathi song praising Lord Ganesha. This is in Kannada script. ಗಣೇಶನಿಗೆ ಆರತಿ ಹಾಡು ಆರುತಿ … [Read More...]
Mahavir Jayanti
Mahavir Jayanti is also known as Mahavir Janma Kalyanak and signifies the birth anniversary of the last and 24th Jain thirthankara Lord Mahavira. Lord Mahavira was born in 599 BCE on the thirteenth … [Read More...]
